About Me

Roger is a writer, social entrepreneur, lecturer and activist. He has been a diversity trainer and champion for over 30 years. His work in Bristol on scores of community projects he’s led, have changed the lives of many. At UWE Bristol he’s been central to work to decolonise the curriculum.

Born in North London he moved with his mother to Lawrence Weston, Bristol and after leaving school without qualifications, he became a champion for life-long learning. The 1980s were a time of high-unemployment, turbulent race-relations and social divides. This lived experience would become integral to his writing and teaching.

After years of unemployment, working on building sites, he took his English ‘O Levels at night-school. At 25 he joined CEED, a community organisation in St Pauls, determined to change his life and make a difference. They placed him at Bristol City Council in Hartcliffe as a positive-action trainee housing officer. This was the opportunity he had sought and a template for his career by gaining trust amongst his peers and the communities he served alongside study. On a tutor-training course aged 27, he saw his first Black teacher, providing an inspiration to his future career.

He gained management, counselling and coaching qualifications learning how to get the best out of people. Roger rose through the ranks to become a Senior Housing Manager and also worked as a race and equalities advisor on the Stephen Lawrence inquiry and staff development schemes.

In 2007 the community radio station Ujima launched and Roger became a volunteer- broadcaster and Chair for 11 years. During his tenure Ujima became a National Diversity champions and won national radio station of the year. Roger co-founded with his former-mentor Paul Hassan the Black and Green Programme. This offered paid opportunities for community members to connect to the environment.

Roger at Ujima radio station

During this time he met Mandy Bancroft and Dr Emmanuel Aduke starting  community engagement projects for UWE Bristol. He also worked with Lynn Barlow and Mayor Marvin Rees in the bid to bring Channel 4 to Bristol with his colleague LaToyah McAlister-Jones at Ujima. Roger also set up the Windrush Generations Project with Alisha Airey to celebrate Caribbean elders and champion their contribution to British society. The project provides opportunities for students to work with organisations such as St Pauls Carnival and Vocalise Magazine.

 

Roger’s Book: My American Odyssey

In 2015 Roger published his first book ‘My American Odyssey From the Windrush to the White House during the term of the first Black president, charting his family’s ancestral history through the Black diaspora.

 

In 2018 Roger was awarded the Lord Mayor’s Medal for his community and voluntary work and in 2019 he was awarded an M.B.E. for his work in Diversity and Culture.

 

Roger and Prince William

He has a diverse portfolio of roles including CEO of his community consultancy Creative Connex providing opportunities for student talent and community groups. He is a creative producer, film curator and continues his passion for sharing cultural stories, published in several local and national publications and sits on the Arts Council England South-West board.

 

Throughout his ups and downs he cites his family, friends and partner Stacie for a foundation on which to build his success.

Biography

Roger is a social entrepreneur, lecturer and engaged in several community and social action projects. He has been a diversity trainer and champion for over 30 years following 18 years of local authority experience including 8 years in a senior leadership and equalities roles.  He was the Executive Chair for 11 years at Ujima Radio where he is also a broadcaster. He is also the Managing Director for his 2morrow 2day Community Consultancy connecting businesses and organisations with the many talented communities in Bristol. These initiatives include consultation, media, employment and diversity projects. He is a lecturer for UWE Bristol helping to diversify the curriculum across a range of faculties and a number of community engagement projects.

A keen writer he published his first book ‘My American Odyssey-From the Windrush to the White House Volume One’ in 2015 about the American Deep-South comparing America and Britain during the term of the first black president and his own family’s journey from the Caribbean. He is an artistic producer, a contributor to the online cultural magazine Bristol 24/7 and Bristol Post and a film curator with the Come the Revolution collective at Bristol Watershed. Rogers sits on the Arts Council England board south-west.

In March of 2018 Roger was awarded the Bristol Lord Mayor’s Medal for his community and voluntary work on race equality. in 2019 he was awarded an MBE for his work in Diversity and Culture. He is currently preparing and researching his second book Reflections Across A New Black Atlantic featuring his personal insight and connections across the African Diaspora and a play based on the presidency of Barack Obama.

Short Biography

Roger Griffith MBE is a writer, lecturer, social-entrepreneur and former Chair/Broadcaster of Ujima Radio. Having left school without qualifications, he’s an advocate for life-long learning which elevated his rise from unemployment to senior manager at Bristol City Council. He’s passionate about sharing cultural stories, promoting racial equality and social inclusion.

Personal Profile

Roger is a writer, social entrepreneur, lecturer and activist. He has been a diversity trainer and champion for over 30 years. His work in Bristol on scores of community projects he’s led, have changed the lives of many. At UWE Bristol he’s been central to work to decolonise the curriculum.

Born in North London he moved with his mother to Lawrence Weston, Bristol and after leaving school without qualifications. became a champion for life-long learning. The 1980s were a time of high-unemployment, turbulent race-relations and social divides. This lived experience would become integral to his writing and teaching.

Roger in Lawrence Weston, Bristol, where he grew up

After years of unemployment, working on building sites, he took his English ‘O Levels at night-school. At 25 he joined CEED a community organisation in St Pauls, determined to change his life and make a difference. They placed him at Bristol City Council in Hartcliffe as a positive-action trainee housing officer. This was the opportunity he had sought and a template for his career by gaining trust amongst his peers and the communities he served alongside study. On a tutor-training course aged 27, he saw his first Black teacher, providing an inspiration to his future career.

He gained management, counselling and coaching qualifications learning how to get the best out of people. Roger rose through the ranks to become a Senior Housing Manager and also worked as a race and equalities advisor on the Stephen Lawrence inquiry and staff development schemes.

In 2007 the community radio station Ujima launched and Roger became a volunteer- broadcaster and Chair for 11 years. During his tenure Ujima became a National Diversity champions and won national radio station of the year. Roger co-founded with his former-mentor Paul Hassan the Black and Green Programme. This offered paid opportunities for community members to connect to the environment.

During this time he met Mandy Bancroft and Dr Emmanuel Aduke starting  community engagement projects for UWE Bristol. He also worked with Lynn Barlow and Mayor Marvin Rees in the bid to bring Channel 4 to Bristol with his colleague LaToyah McAlister-Jones at Ujima. Roger also set up the Windrush Generations Project with Alisha Airey to celebrate Caribbean elders and champion their contribution to British society. The project provides opportunities for students to work with organisations such as St Pauls Carnival and Vocalise Magazine.

In 2015 Roger published his first book ‘My American Odyssey From the Windrush to the White House during the term of the first Black president, charting his families ancestral history through the Black diaspora.

In 2018 Roger was awarded the Lord Mayor’s Medal for his community and voluntary work and in 2019 he was awarded an M.B.E. for his work in Diversity and Culture.

He has a diverse portfolio of roles including CEO of his community consultancy Creative Connex providing opportunities for student talent and community groups. He is a creative producer, film curator and continues his passion for sharing cultural stories, published in several local and national publications and sits on the Arts Council England South-West board.

Meeting my writing inspiration Gary Younge after his talk at the release of his book ‘A Day in the Life of America’ at Waterstones Bristol on 23rd November 2016.